We recently celebrated the new year and we look forward to many events in the coming year. It is an election year, and the candidates are lined up for inspection. It looks like it’s going to be an interesting event.

Many Americans have made New Year’s resolutions which will not be kept. Many are still struggling to keep those they made last year.

Just when we thought violence might be about to let up around the world, it breaks out in places we would not expect. Leaders of many nations are killing their people because they protested or criticized their government in some way. One rogue nation has even defied the rest of the world in producing a nuclear weapon of its own. This same nation is now threatening to cut off the waterways for shipment of oil because of certain sanctions that have been imposed on it.

We hear about the so-called Mayan prophecies. The tribe no longer exists in the area in which it once lived. However, their calendar of events is a matter of record and is being studied by those who think they know how to break all kinds of codes. The calendar left behind by the Mayans went as far as December in the year 2012. It carries with it a prediction the world will end at that time. Is this true?

As far as I’m concerned, it matters not whether this is true. The important thing is that we know the prophecies of our God are true. We need not look to pagan tribes for details on history or the future. We have the word of the only true and living God.

This so-called prophetic calendar so many are worried about ends abruptly with a prediction of doom and distraction. The prophecies of our God are filled with promises of a better life in His kingdom. We are told to do three things — watch, work and wait.

This doomsday calendar gives us no comforting words or promises to look forward to. In Paul’s writings in the New Testament, we read of the latter days and terrible things that are to come. However, he ended his writings on this topic with the words, “comfort ye one another with these words.” Paul did this to let us know the events of the latter days are not the end for those who know Jesus. They are but the beginning of many events much more glorious than any we could even imagine.

When I’m told certain things are going to occur in the end days, I compare it with the holy Scriptures and if it does not match up, I discard it. Any prophecy that contradicts the word of God is nothing but trash, and that’s where I put it.

Should we be concerned of the events taking place around the world? Yes, any place where people are hurting is a concern of God’s people. We need to do what we can to ease their hurts and lead them to the cross of Jesus. Yes, we need to be concerned for those people. We also need to understand that events which occur on the other side of the world can directly or indirectly affect our lives in the United States of America. This is a great nation under God and we need to prayerfully take steps to protect it because we know not when the Lord may come. He expects us to work until that time. Yes, we need to be concerned with the events of this world, but we need not worry over those events.

We have promises that will be kept because God always keeps His promises. We have our instructions for the latter days as well. I hope I’ll see you in the kingdom of God. Don’t worry about the future. Don’t worry about doomsday predictions. God has it all planned, and we can read it all in His word.